Calif. player's family attacks his coach

By Compiled by KEITH NIEBUHR

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 27, 2000

To say that things got a little ugly during last week's South Torrance-North Torrance game in California would be an understatement.

Following the game, a 24-21 North Torrance win, South Torrance coach Brett Peabody was attacked by family members of John Martinez Jr., one of Peabody's players.

It seems Martinez's family was upset that Martinez, a 1,000-yard rusher in 1999, has had a limited role this fall.

"It was a completely irrational, completely irresponsible, savage act," Peabody told the Torrance-based Daily Breeze.

Police identified the assailants as John Martinez Sr. and his brother, Anthony Martinez. The newspaper reported that they could face criminal charges.

Martinez's father later apologized .

"I'm going to regret this for the rest of life," John Martinez Sr. told the Daily Breeze. "I just want to apologize to the coach. I should have never done what I did. I had no excuse for that."

Gee, you think?

Brooksville battle

One of the Suncoast's biggest games tonight takes place in Brooksville, where Central (7-1) plays host to South Sumter (6-1) -- the eighth-ranked team in Class 2A.

Since an opening-week 42-21 loss to unbeaten Crystal River, South Sumter has allowed 19 points in six wins. During one stretch, the Raiders went 19 quarters without giving up a point.

South Sumter and Central have common opponents -- Hernando and Citrus.

The Bears split those games, losing to Hernando 14-7 and beating Citrus 25-15. South Sumter made short work of both, winning by a combined 82-6.

Cream of the crop

Class 5A Lakeland High, winner of 53 consecutive regular-season games, is No. 1 in this week's Gatorade Top 25 -- the state's only all-classification poll.

Tallahassee Lincoln (6A) is No. 2, followed by Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (4A), Lake City Columbia (5A) and Belle Glade Glades Central (3A). All but Columbia was a state champion in its respective class in 1999.

The highest-ranked Tampa Bay-area team is Hillsborough, which is 15th.

Crystal River was one of 14 squads that received votes. The Pirates finally are starting to get some respect from state sports writers.

After last week's 55-20 win against Lecanto, the Pirates nearly doubled their vote total in the Class 3A rankings. They're one spot -- and one vote -- out of 10th place.

Five teams ranked ahead of Crystal River have one loss.

NFL has eye on preps

Count the NFL among those that have added coverage of high school football to its website.

At http://www.NFLHS.com, the NFL has features on top prep athletes and coaches and provides football news and notes from across the country.

The site's best asset might be its link to a national records page, which includes team, individual and coaching records for six-man, eight-man, nine-man and 11-man football.

Another page provides a list of schools that have produced the most players on NFL opening-day 2000 rosters. The same page lists the top-producing states.

For those of you who were wondering, California -- with 208 players -- leads all states. Florida was third with 154.

The predictions by Times writers

GREG AUMAN: Belleview 24-21; Citrus 31-10; Dunnellon 38-13; Land O'Lakes 21-17; South Sumter 24-21.

CAREY FREEMAN: Belleview 24-17; Citrus 28-13; Dunnellon 35-12; Land O'Lakes 35-7; South Sumter 21-20.

BRANT JAMES: Crystal River 28-16; Lake Weir 20-6; Lecanto 10-8; Land O'Lakes 28-12; Central 16-15.

KEITH NIEBUHR: Crystal River 27-20; Citrus 20-6; Dunnellon 35-12; Land O'Lakes 42-16; South Sumter 35-12.

Seven Rivers, Cedar Key meet for championship

Need a break from football?

Tonight at 6, Seven Rivers plays host to Cedar Key in the Class A, District 3 final.

The teams split a pair of regular-season matches, with each winning at home. The last time they met, Cedar Key won 15-12, 1-15, 15-13.

Seven Rivers, in its second season, owns a 12-4 record.

This district is one of two in Florida to have two teams. The other is Class 6A, District 1.

The Seven Rivers-Cedar Key winner plays host to a first-round state playoff match Tuesday.

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